On the Chorgali Formation at the Type Locality

Abstract

   The type locality of the Chorgali Formation is the Chorgali Pass, located in the Khair-e-Murat Range, Potwar Plateau. The age of the formation is Early Eocene. It is suggested to use the term Chorgali Formation to refer to a sequence of grey, bedded to thin bedded dolomite with intercalated shale, about 80-90m thick. The overlaying greenish shale, about 70m thick, should be included within the (overlaying) Kuldana Formation.
The contact with the underlaying Sakesar/Margala Hill Limestone and the overlaying Kuldana Formation is conformable. Both contacts are well exposed at the type locality.
The Chorgall Formation was deposited in intertidal to supratidal environments during an overall regression of the Early Eocene sea.
Most of the Bhadrar beds in the Salt Range are fully marine deposits, and are therefore considered as a member of the Sakesar Limestone, not as a homologofthe Chorgali Formation.
The Lora formation of the Hazara mountain is also a fully marine deposit, and therefore should be excluded from the Chorgali Formation.